Elon Musk says there is a “good chance” that SpaceX’s Starship SN10 will be launched this week after the FAA closed its investigation into SN9’s explosive test flight.
- SpaceX could launch the Starship SN 10 prototype this week, said Elon Musk
- The company was investigated by the Federal Aviation Administration
- The investigation looked at the root cause of the exploding SN9 prototype
- The agency found no danger, considering that SN10 was approved for take-off
- SN10 flew the same high-altitude flight of six miles in the air
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has closed its investigation into SpaceX’s explosive SN9 Startship prototype “paving the way for the SN10 test flight”.
The investigation focused on ensuring the safety of operations, which found that the explosion did not endanger the public and the debris was contained in the designated danger areas.
The FAA announcement means that SpaceX can continue with the launch of the latest prototype, which CEO Elon Musk says has “great chances to fly this week.”
Road closures around the SpaceX facility in Boca Chica, Texas say space flight activities are set for Feb. 22 between 9:00 GMT and 18:00 GMT, but it’s unclear whether the company will perform tests or the world will see that SN10 will take first height of 6 miles. flight.
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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has closed its investigation into SpaceX’s explosive SN9 Startship prototype “paving the way for the SN10 test flight”. And Elon Musk says it could happen sometime this week
The FAA opened an investigation into SpaceX following the launch of Starship SN9 on February 2, which ended with the rocket exploding in a ball of flames as it tried to land.
SN9 took off around 3:24 pm ET on February 4 from the SpaceX Boca Chica test facility.
The massive rocket hit the 6-mile target in about four minutes of flight and then successfully made an aerodynamic descent on its side as it fell to the ground.
However, the prototype was unable to maneuver in an upright position before landing on the launch pad, preventing it from being able to stick to the landing.
Road closures around the SpaceX facility in Boca Chica, Texas say space flight activities are set for Feb. 22 between 9:00 GMT and 18:00 GMT, but it’s unclear whether the company will perform tests or the world will see that SN10 will take first height of 6 miles. flight
Elon Musk suggested on Twitter that SpaceX could launch Starship SN10 this week
It landed in a deafening crash and exploded in bright orange flames and a cloud of dust, but the fire did not spread.
Following the launch, the FAA opened an investigation into the crash to determine if SpaceX had complied with the protocols – namely that no one or something was endangered during the explosion.
“The FAA’s top priority in regulating commercial space transportation is to ensure the safety of operations, even if there is an anomaly,” the federal DailyMail.com said in a statement.
The FAA investigation into the exploded SN9 (pictured) focused on ensuring safe operations, which found that the explosion did not endanger the public and the debris was contained in designated hazard areas.
“The FAA will oversee the landing accident investigation involving the SpaceX Starship SN9 prototype in Boca Chica, Texas.”
“Although this was an unmanned test flight, the investigation will identify the root cause of today’s crash and possible opportunities to further increase safety as the program develops.”
Like many who watched the live stream, the FAA concluded that the failure occurred during the rocket’s re-entry.
“The SN9 vehicle failed within the limits of the FAA safety analysis,” said an FAA spokesman CNN. “Its failed landing and explosion did not endanger the public or property.”
The announcement means that the SN10 will be launched from the test facility and will attempt the iconic “belly” maneuver on the return journey – but hopefully the latest prototype can still land, unlike its predecessors.